Ya, for sure. The 20 extra minutes will definitely be a factor since I've grown used to pacing myself for only 40 minutes. I'm going to make an effort to go out at a slower pace (not that I go fast but not go out so "hard") and stick with the guy I think I can beat who's normally slower than me in the beginning of the race. Hopefully I can avoid blowing up, stay with him more most of the race and then get a gap on him in some of the more technical sections of the course near the end and come in with "teh win."

... "teh win" being one spot off DFL. ;)

Nervous excitement continues ...

So only Keith is starting at 10? Mike, how'd you get bumped up?
What time on Saturday is stuff happening? There's a fund raiser for the school that day as well and I need to go get the kids in the later afternoon, but might be able to come by late morning/early afternoon for a bit.

In preparing to have my daughter out in the cold for several hours I might not be able to provide beer ups, as my bag will be packed mostly for her comfort. vis-a-vis, extra layers and hot chocolate.

****, SUNDAY!

NOT Saturday ... Sunday the 23rd is race day (fixed my other post).

For the regular season they break it down by ablities (slow/average/fast) so everyone can have a competitive race against people of similar abilities.

For the championships though it would be kind of dumb to have "Provincial Kinda Average Speed Champion" so on that day we race in age categories (Masters 50+ Champion, Masters 30-34 Champion, etc.).

I know it's on Sunday.... but Keith was saying the chill setup day is Saturday. SO i might be able to come out and check things on Saturday then come on Sunday as well. Wow .. I see the age distinction, so it be "average Joe vs. semi/former-pro"?

I wanna do a looney race. Sounds right up my alley >:lol:

This is a Zoom handlebar that is sort of the same thing, would that work? I find it very comfortable but too wide for me.

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j1...Ez/zoom002.jpg

Also, maybe y'all can provide some insight for me....I have an old Raleigh bike that has 27inch wheels on it and I was thinking that if I put some 700c wheels on it and some CX tires, I could have a ghetto CX bike for commuting this winter. Does that sound nuts? It has these old Weinmann centre-pull brakes on it and I think that they will provide some pretty good clearance for knobbies, especially if I go with 700c wheels.

The thing is a beast but I think that once I get these steel 27inch wheels off of it, it might provide a pretty decent ride.

Thanks Jet! I think I need something that sweeps a bit more backwards however. In that aspect your bars are similar to my mustache bars. Thanks again!

27" wheels are 8mm larger in diameter (4mm in radius) than 700c so it helps clearance wise. Plus those old bikes tend to have good clearance to start with so I'm certain you'll be fine. And also you should check that you can move the brake pads down a bit (by 4mm).

I had an old Panasonic frame. I'm not sure if it was originally spec'd with 27" but I fit 700x30c with fenders on it.

+1 for old raleighs. I have an old Raleigh Record that's my winter commuter. The only mod I made was to put in a new spindle so I could run new cranks instead of the old cottered crankset. I tried a set of cross tires this past winter then went back to 23's. Skinny tires FTW.

This Raleigh is pretty darn old, the rear spacing is 120mm so I am not sure if the wheels I want to use are going to work after all, they are at 126mm. I am almost tempted to put my track wheels on this thing, they would fit perfectly. Weird.

Nitto is now distributed by Norco, so pretty much any LBS would be able to order them in for you. They cost a fair pop, something like $80-85 catalogue, and they'd also probably be coming from Vancouver.

http://www.modernbike.com/images/Pro...2126176337.jpg

Some good riding weather out there, haha

Vee rubber (or one of the other cheap brands, can't remember for sure) makes 27 x 1 3/8 cross style tires. Perhaps that's an easy solution. they're <15 each. Might be hard to get them this late in the season.

Turns out either its extra slippery out there tonight... or I need some serious brush-up on my snow riding skills!

i almost wiped out twice, there's definitely some ice patches under the snow

Hrm, that is a good idea, I didn't think such a thing existed, 27inch CX tires. MEC sells 27inch tires for cruisers, maybe I will check them out tomorrow.

And yeah, my snow-riding skills suck which is weird because we were all riding in snow right up until April.

Let's all collectively wish for a short winter this year, maybe the snow-gods will take the Toronto Fixed thread seriously this year.

Awesome. Someday I will get back into kayaking and I will own my own sea kayak. Live the dream, my friend.

definitely - i've gotta go get me some new winter tires on the asap. i was a slippin' and a slidin' the night away.

i cant seem to get the drive side crank off of my winterbike.
the bolt is seized in there and i cant seem to get leverage to get it out.
stupid 6mm allen bolts.

figures as soon as i try to get it ready (last night) it snows right away.

anyone have a spare 56-58 junker frame in their closet/garage?

Sure was slippy, was kinda fun though - I've got to head up north to Keele/Steeles today, kinda apprehensive about how that'll all pan out. Slow 'n' steady :)

It's funny on the commute back yesterday all was well for me but by gf kept slipping. Feeling all macho I gave her sound advice, but when I actually tried her bike I slipped quite immediately. Boy as soon as I squeezed the front brake the wheel would slip. I think her tires were shot. We changed them and we'll see.

The commute this morning was FUN I love snow :)

And tks Nice N'easy I'll call a few shops

I pulled a forget-how-in-the-snow last night. MTB with my slicks, hit the brakes and went down like a ton of bricks on my hip and knee. :lol: doofus, that is me. Knobbies went on this morning, was nice ride in this morning.

Brilliant idea, could this work in Toronto?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-aKtmAfeRg

hahaha.. I saw that at the BFF. So ******edly awesome. It's like something from Monty Python (with more drugs for the writers).